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ZeroSSL vs DigiCert

How ZeroSSL and DigiCert differ on deployment, pricing, openness and what each is actually built for.

ZeroSSLDigiCert
TypePublic CA (freemium)Public CA + CLM
DeploymentSaaS (ACME)SaaS
How it worksIssues DV certificates over ACME like Let’s Encrypt, plus a browser console for teams that would rather click than script. Paid plans from $9.99/month add multi-domain certificates, a management console and support. Owned by HID Global, part of ASSA ABLOY.Issues publicly trusted TLS, code-signing, S/MIME and document-signing certificates from its own roots. DigiCert ONE adds discovery, automation and policy enforcement across the estate, with ACME and REST APIs for issuance.
Pricing*Free tier; paid from $9.99/moFrom $218/yr (Basic OV)
Free tierYesNo
Open source——
ComplianceWebTrust, CA/B ForumWebTrust, CA/B Forum, FIPS 140-2 (HSM-backed)
Best forACME with a UI and a support pathEnterprises needing public trust plus governance

ZeroSSL

  • Drop-in ACME alternative — useful as a second issuer
  • Web console for non-automated workflows
  • Paid support exists, unlike Let’s Encrypt
  • Free tier is rate-limited and nagged
  • Much younger and smaller than the incumbents

DigiCert

  • Roots trusted in effectively every store
  • Strong CLM platform (DigiCert ONE), not just issuance
  • Fast validation and enterprise support
  • Among the most expensive per certificate
  • Platform value only shows at estate scale

Bottom line

Choose ZeroSSL for acme with a ui and a support path. Choose DigiCert for enterprises needing public trust plus governance.

* Indicative list pricing (vendor documentation and public pricing pages, August 2026).